Block mold



E. B- HOWELL.

BLOCK MOLD.

APPLICATlON FILED MAR.2.1921.

Patented June 27, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

FP HPII |l. ll lllllllllllllllllll III IV VE IV TOR Edward 15. Howell.

ATTORNEYS E. B. HOWELL.

BLOCK MOLD. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1921.

1,421,006. Patented June 27,1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

' ym'aumas WITNESSES l/V VE/V TOR Edward B. Howell.

A TTORNEYS STATESFPAATENTT OFFICE.

EDWARD BEACH I-IOVIEL-L, OF BUTTE, MONTANA.

BLOCK Mom).

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Paigntgd June 27 1922.

Application filed March 2, 1921. Serial No. 4 19,052.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD BEACH HOWELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Butte, in the county of Silver Bow and Stateof Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Block Molds, of which the following is a specification. 7

My invention relates to molds for forming blocks of plastic material and more particularly to flanged blocks used in building construction.

The purpose of my invention is the provision of a mold which forms, without recourse to substitution or any changing of parts, blocks ofany desired length within the range of the mold so that when making the blocks necessary to the formation of a building wall, the one and only mold can be employed throughout.

It is also a purpose of my'invention to provide a plurality of block molds which coact one with the otherto simultaneously form a plurality of blocks of the same or different lengths whereby, the making of a number of blocks in the form of building walls, is facilitated. 1

I will describe one form of mold embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims;

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view partly broken away showing three molds of like construction embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on'the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4: are transverse sectional views taken on the lines 33 and 4Lt, respectively, of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the forms employed in one of the molding units shown in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the end block employed in one of the molding units shown in Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, my invention" in its present embodiment is shown as consisting of a plurality of molding umts, and

although I have shown and will describe only three of these molding units, his to be understood that any number of units can be employed with the present construction by merely multiplying the parts comprised in each unit. The several molding units-are designated at M, M, and M and are supported on a common base consisting of a plurality of regularly spaced beams 15'arranged parallel to each other and to a midrail or beam 16. .The mid-rail 16 serves the double function of providing a dividing partition at the confronting ends of any two adjacent molds, and is sufliciently wide to allow of the passage of wheel'barrows thereover or for the accommodation of a track over which suitable cars can be moved to any particular mold for discharging the concrete within the molds.

Any two adjacent molding units are comprised of three partitions 17 which are movable on the beams 15 and which in their applied position are arranged at right angles to the mid rail' 16 and in parallel spaced relation to each other. Each partition 17 is in the form of an Lbeam, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flanges at the upper andlower edges of the beam coacting to provide grooves at the opposite sides thereof. Slidably fitted between any two partitions 17 is a filler block F which is preferably formed of sheet metal bent to provide a raised intermediate portion 18, divergent side portions 19, and laterally extending flanges 20 formed on the free edges of the side portions. End portions 21 are also provided at the opposite ends of the filler block, these end portions being provided at their free edges with laterally extending flanges 22, as clearly shown in Figure 6. I I

In the applied position of any one of the filler blocks F the side flanges QOare supported on the lower flanges of anytwo adjacent partitions 17 in. the manner clearly shown in Figures Qand 4C. In this position, the intermediate portion 18 is disposed slightly below the level oftheupper edges of the partitions so as to provide a space therebetween for the reception of concrete. This body of concrete is adapted to form the panel portion of a block formed by the.

flanges of the concrete block are formed by the coaction oi? the end portions 21, flanges 22 and stationary end blocks 23 arranged contiguous to the mid-rail 16 and extending transversely between the partitions. fit the other end of the filler block the end flange may or may not be formed, but when such flange is desired it is formed by an end block 24 which as shown in Figure 7 is recessed at its upper edge to provide tongues at the opposite ends thereof which areadapted to slidably fit within the grooves of the partitions. In the applied position of the end block 2-; as shown in the molding unit M. it coacts with the adjacent end of the filler block to form the end flange, as will be understood.

From the foregoing arrangement it will be clear that the several filler blocks F together with the end blocks 23 and 2% will maintain the partitions 17 in definite spaced relation upon the base beams 15. However, in order to maintain the partitions 17 in firm contact with the filler blocks and end blocks, I provide stationary clamping blocks 25 and movable clamping blocks 26 arranged upon the base beams 15 so as to clampingly embrace the partitions and thus secure them against lateral movement. As shown in Figure 1, the stationary clamping blocks 25 are fixedly secured to the beams 15 by fastening members 27 so as to form an abutment for the outermost partition to the right. The movable blocks 26 are arranged upon the beams 15 to engage the outermost partition to the left and are adjustableto force such partition and the intermediate partitions in the direction of the outermost partition to the right. In the present instance this adjusting means for the blocks 26 comprises castings 2S sl id ably mounted upon the beams 15 and carrying screw threaded spindles 29 which are secured to the movable blocks and threadedly fitted within the castings so that when rotated in the proper direction aforward feeding of the blocks is effected to move the partitions in clamping relation with respect to each other. The castings 28 are also adjustable upon. the beams 15, and for this purpose the beams are perforated at regular spaced intervals as indicated at 30 in Figure 2, and in any one of these perforations pins 31 can be inserted. The opposite ends of the pins 31 are embraced by the ends of links 32 pivotally supported upon the casings, and with the pins and links associated with each other in the manner shown, it will be clear that the castings can be locked against longitudinal movement on the beams andto thereby hold the movable clamping blocks 26 in definite relation with respect to the partitions.

In the operation of any one molding unit, the filler block F and the end blocks 23 and 24lare arranged in proper positions between any two adjacent partitions so that when the movable clamping blocks are properly adjusted the two partitions will be held in tirm engagement with the blocks. Concrete or other like material is now deposited. upon the filler block and between the spaces or channels formed between the confronting side and end portions of the filler block and the partitions and end blocks. It is to be particularly noted that the concrete can be readily spread over the surface of the molding unit so as to completely fill the mold because there are no protruding obstructions extending above the surface of the mold to prevent the sweeping of a board or other suitable tool across the surface of the mold which will insure the disposition of concrete within all parts of the mold to properly form the block. In this manner a block is molded having a panel portion of substantially rectangular outline with slightly divergent side and end flanges which are coextensive in length with the sides and ends of the panel portion. 7 When the concrete is properly set it will be clear that the molding unit can be readily disassembled by moving the clamping blocks 26 to releasing position so as to permit the spreading of the partitions 17 and the consequent removal of the filler block.

To demonstrate the range of the molding units as constructed in accordance with my invention, the n'iolding unit M is shown as provided with an auxiliary filler block F which is constructed in the manner shown in 100 igure 6 so that it can be extensively associated with one end of the filler block and applied in the manner shown in Figure 1. By this arrangement the length of the molding block can be readily varied to meet any 105 particular requirement in the formation of a building wall. V fithin the building unit M,

a window filler member TV is arranged so as to divide the block which would be ordinaril molded, into two separate and distinct sec 110 tions. As illustrated in Figure 2, the member VV comprises a panel. portion 323 of rectangular outline which overlies the panel portion of the filler block F, and flange portionsi-ht adapted to be disposed. within the 115 spaces between the partitions and side portions of the filler block. The panel portion is flush with the upper edges of the partitions 17 so that when the concrete isdeposited within the molding unit, and prop- 1% erly spread, it will be deposited within the mold at the opposite ends of the member YV so as to form the two block sections.- As wi l be understood, these two block sections are necessary in the formation. of the win- 125 dow openings in a building wall.

In the molding unit M a follower R is so adjustably mounted between the partitions 17 so as to be movable longitudinally of the molding unit. The follower R comprisesa 13' horizontal portion 35 on the opposite ends of which are formed depending flanges 36.

The portion 35 is adapted to overlie the panel portion of the filler block F, with the flanges 36 disposed between the sides ofthe filler block and the partitions. This arran gement permits of the formation of aconcrete block of any desired length within the range of the mold having at one end only a transverse flange, itbeing understood that the concrete is deposited on the filler block between the end block 23 and the follower R.

lVhat'I claim is:

1. A block mold comprising, a base, partitions upstanding from the base, filler blocks on the base, said partitions and filler blocks being so shaped and associated with each other and with said base as to provide side channels and an end channel communicating with the side channels, the upper edges of all of the channels being open, and the follower movable in the side channels and over the filler blocks for the purpose described.

2. A block mold comprising, a base, partitions upstanding from the base, means on the base and between the partitions and coacting with the latter to provide open sided channels and a space between the channels into which a material is adapted to be deposited, and a follower movable within certain of the channels and through said space and adapted to define one end of the mold whereby the length of blocks molded within the form may be varied.

3. A block mold comprising, partitions supported for bodily movement laterally, and filler blocks arranged between the partitions so as to coact with the partitions in forming a block having flanges when a plastic material is introduced between the partitions.

t. A block mold comprising, a pair of spaced partitions, one of which is movable bodily relatively to the other filler blocks arranged between the partitions so as to coact with the partitions in forming a block having flanges when a plastic material is introduced between the partitions, and adjustable means for securing the partitions in clamping relation with respect to the filler blocks.

5. A block mold comprising, a base, grooved partitions slidably mounted on the base, filler blocks arranged between adjacent partitions and adapted to coact with the partitions for defining substantially U- shaped channels, and means mounted on the base for moving and securing the partitions in clamping relation with respect to the filler blocks.

6. A block mold comprising, a base, grooved partitions slidable on the base, filler blocks between the partitions and each comprising a panel portion disposed below the upper edges of the partitions, and flanges between the panel portion and the partitions and at the opposite ends of the panel portion, end blocks fitting between the partitions and spaced from the panel portion by the end flanges, and means carried by the base for securing the partitions in clamping relation with respect to all of said blocks,

=7.v A block mold comprising, a base, partitions movable on the base, a filler block between the partitions, end blocks between the partitions, one of said end blocks being movable toward and away from the filler block, and 'a filler member including a panel portion overlying the filler block, and flanged portions interposed between the tiller block and the partitions.

8. A block mold comprising, a base, partitions slidable on the base, a filler block between the partitions' comprising a panel portion disposed below the upper edges of the partitions, side flanges for maintaining the panel portions spaced from the sides of the partitions, and end flanges, a stationary block between the partitions at one end thereof and spaced from the panel portion by one of the end flanges, and a follower slidably fitted between the partitions and including a horizontal portion overlying the panel portions of the filler block, and depending flanges movable between the sides of the panel portion and the partition.

9. A block mold comprising, a plurality of base beams, a mid-rail secured to one of the beams, stationary clamping blocks secured to the beams, partitions loosely mounted on the beams and arranged at right angles to the mid-rail, filler blocks arranged between the partitions and adapted to co-act with the latter to provide a substantially U-shaped channel open at its upper side, and movable clamping blocks adjustableon the beams to engage the partition andmove the latter in clamping rela- 1 tion with respect to the filler blocks and in abutting relation to the stationary clamping blocks.

10. A block mold comprising a base, a pair of normally parallel I-beams superime posed upon said base, one of said I-beams being movable laterally on the base, filler blocks for spacing said I-beams and for cooperating with said I-beams to define a channel of U-shaped cross section, end blocks cooperating with the filler blocks and with the Lbeams to define channels connecting the sides of said first named channel at the ends thereof, all of said channels being open along their upper edges to permit the filling thereof with a plastic substance, and means for moving the movable I-beam bodily relatively to the other I-beam and for securing the movable I-beam in position to occasion the clamping of the said blocks between said I-beam.

11. A block mold comprising a base, a pair beam remote from the other I-beam, a casting adj nstably and detachably secured to the T base adjacent to the clamping block and means carried by the clamping block and threadedly engaging the casting for holding the movable I-beam in desired relation to the other I-beam.

ED'WARD BEACH HOWELL. 

